16:10 Newcastle

Thursday 4 January 2024

All15:3716:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:40

Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 46.84s

(2)

Ibiza Rocks^b,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Russell| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 55| BF

5/1

Twenty runs since sole win in 2020. 3/1, seventh of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 30 days ago. Blinkers back on. Not taken lightly.

Form: 563677-

(9)

Ubettabequick¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 55

28/1

Fared no better when ninth of 13 in handicap at Redcar (8f, good to firm, 7/1) 5 months ago. Plenty to prove on return.

Form: 352549-

(10)

Big Dream^p,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: A McCann| OR: 55| D

5/1

Respectable sixth of 14 in claimer (15/2) at Dundalk (7f) 29 days ago. Makes tapeta debut. Cheekpieces back on. This Irish raider shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 506286-

(11)

Reflex^b1²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: K Frost| OR: 54

50/1

25/1, went with little encouragement on first outing since leaving Charlie Fellowes (£4,000) after 9 weeks off when eleventh of 12 in handicap at this C&D 27 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time.

Form: 023680-

(1)

Maraakiz²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 53

9/1

Showed first form since joining current yard when fourth of 12 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f, 16/1) 4 weeks ago, nearest finish. No banker to build on that here, though.

Form: 0/78804-

(7)

Reclaim Victory^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 53| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Sharper for run when ninth of 12 in handicap at this C&D (16/1) 27 days ago, keeping on gradually final 1f having missed break.

Form: 834239-

(6)

Odd Socks Havana^p,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 52| CD

6/1

3-time C&D winner. 16/1, shaped as if needing the run after 6 months off when sixth of 12 in handicap at this C&D 27 days ago. In the mix with that outing under his belt.

Form: 222486-

(8)

Braes Of Doune^p¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 50

11/2

10/3, career best when finally getting off the mark in 14-runner handicap at Ayr (10f, good) 6 months ago, just holding on. Ran well at this track on both previous starts before that, so he's fancied to go close from a 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 5/62531-

(3)

Mekbat⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 46

11/1

40/1, wasn't beaten far but never threatened to be involved when seventh of 12 in handicap at this C&D 46 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 057687-

(5)

Marcello Si⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 45

3/1

15/2, creditable fifth of 11 in handicap at this course (12.4f) 50 days ago, leading until 1f out. Significantly down in trip.

Form: 244045-

(4)

Mr Coco Bean^p⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Helen Cuthbert| OR: 45| D

100/1

Thirty-two runs since last win in 2021. Shaped as if amiss after 3 months off when last of 11 in handicap at this C&D (50/1) 65 days ago, weakening quickly. Best watched.

Form: 367600-

Forecasts

Marcello Si (3/1), Big Dream (5/1), Ibiza Rocks (5/1), Braes Of Doune (11/2), Odd Socks Havana (6/1), Maraakiz (9/1), Mekbat (11/1), Reclaim Victory (16/1), Ubettabequick (28/1), Reflex (50/1), Mr Coco Bean (100/1)

BRAES OF DOUNE showed improved form to finally get off the mark at Ayr back in July and having shaped with encouragement on both starts at this track prior, he's fancied to defy a 4 lb higher mark and follow up at the expense of Odd Socks Havana, who should be much closer to form with his reappearance under his belt. Ibiza Rocks and Irish-raider Big Dream are another couple worth keeping an eye on, too.